Computing for the Class of 2018

The Information Systems Knowledge Base, also known as help.wfu.edu, is your resource for computing related information. Use this page to find the information that you need to start your successful computing experience at Wake Forest University.

- Your WFU Google Mail Account

All new undergraduates are assigned a Wake Forest University Google Mail account. This will be your official email address that the University will use to communicate with you.

To access your account, go to google.wfu.edu and enter your Wake Forest user name and password. Your email address is your user name followed by @wfu.edu. You should have already received your user name and password through postal mail. If you have not received this letter, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@wfu.edu or 336-758-5201. This information is specific to you and your student account at Wake Forest. Your password should not be shared with anyone. If you need assistance contact the Information Systems Service Desk or call 336-758-4357.

All undergraduate students new to Wake Forest receive a computer loaded with a comprehensive suite of software applications standard for students and faculty.

The standard issue computer for first-year students is a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook with Windows 8.1, 8 GB solid state drive, non-touch screen, and an i5 2.6 GHz processor. Re-admitted and transfer students will receive the ThinkPad model associated with their class year at Wake Forest.

In addition to a variety of classroom and research tools available through the campus network, Wake Forest provides a comprehensive suite of software applications on the Lenovo X1 Carbon ThinkPad. Detailed information about the standard load of software can be found online.

Wake Forest retains ownership of the ThinkPad. Because of this arrangement, we provide service and support for the ThinkPad and the standard software that Wake Forest licenses for your use. You are responsible for the care of the computer and will be subject to repair charges and applicable deductibles in case of negligence, loss or theft of the ThinkPad.

Wake Forest offers an optional ThinkPad Protection to cover accidental spills, drops or other damage. The ThinkPad Protection costs $129and will be billed to your student account in the fall. It covers the ThinkPad for a four year period of coverage that ends in June 2018. Without the protection, students will pay up to a $500 deductible per incident for damages to the computer. Learn more about ThinkPad Protection here.

Purchasing ThinkPad Protection

Follow these instructions to purchase ThinkPad Protection. The cost will be billed to your student account in the fall.

Pay your tuition - Information Systems must be able to verify payment of tuition. Payment of tuition will be verified through the University’s Financial and Accounting Services office.

Sign your Technology Program Agreement online in WIN - Information Systems must have a signed Technology Program Agreement on file before distributing the computer.

Pick up your student ID - You will need to present your Wake Forest University student ID in order to receive a computer. You can pick up your ID on Move-in day in the Benson University Center.

When and Where Distribution of computers will take place on Thursday, August 21st, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Reynolds Gymnasium, room 201. Please plan for the distribution process to take 30 minutes. A detailed schedule will be posted in the Benson University Center when you arrive on campus.

Pre-Purchase Your Accessories through the College Bookstore The following items are recommended for use with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1Carbon. If you wish to pre-purchase any of these items and have them available for pickup when you arrive on campus, please email Allison Brown at ringae@wfu.edu or call her at 336-758-5145. She will contact you to complete the order.

Securing the Computer with a Cable Lock The security and care of technology assets, including the laptop, is your responsibility. Learn more about taking care of the ThinkPad. Protect your computer against theft with this easy-to-use cable lock. The Targus combination cable lock does not require a key! Secure Your Data with an External Hard Drive The security and care of the data on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is your responsibility. Files and data can be lost through viruses, accidental deletion, hardware failure, or theft of the computer. Backups will reduce the impact of such occurrences. In addition, if you bring the computer to The Bridge for repairs, your data must be backed up prior to service.

Learn about options to consider for securing your data.Note: the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon does not have a CD/DVD drive. The College Bookstore can order an external hard drive for you that will take care of your data back-up needs.

Pre-Order a Personal Printer Need to print a paper or scan a picture from the comfort of your room? The HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One printerdoes it all. For your convenience, the College Bookstore stocks ink cartridges for the HP Deskjet 2540.The HP Deskjet 2540 comes with a USB cable. Information Systems recommends that you use a USB cable with any printer that is purchased for personal use. Using the USB cable allows you to print directly from the computer to the printer and will also maintain the security and integrity of the WFU wireless network on campus. Read about printing with a personal printer on campus here.Order a USB to Ethernet ConnectorThe Lenovo X1 Carbon and the Yoga ThinkPad connect to the wireless network in all campus buildings. The X1 Carbon comes with a USB to Ethernet connector to useif you want to connect to the wired network in your residence hall room. You will need to purchase a USB to Ethernet connector if you purchase the Lenovo Yoga ThinkPad and want to connect to the wired network in your residence hall room.

Get a Multi-port USB Hub There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the X1 Carbon. If you have multiple devices that use a USB connector, you may wish to purchase a multi-port 3.0 USB hub.

Order a Protective ThinkPad Case Protect the ThinkPad with a back pack, case, or sleeve. The College Bookstore carries a variety of protective cases, many of which are embossed with “Wake Forest University”. The Lenovo X1 Carbon measures 13.03" x 8.92” x .0.53" (front)-0.77" (rear).

- Technology Support Resources

The Information Systems Service Desk (The Bridge) Wake Forest provides extensive hardware and software support for the laptop issued to you. The Information Systems Service Desk offers assistance from full-time professional consultants and student assistants. Use ResolveIT for your online, self-service express lane to submit requests for your computing needs. Walk-in assistance is available in The Bridge located in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. Phone assistance is available by calling 336-758-4357 (4357 or “HELP” from any campus phone). Hours for the walk-in and phone support vary during summer, semester breaks and holidays.

Online Assistance Students can find current computing information and important technology tips online at the University’s online technology hub at help.wfu.edu.

Our Commitment to You Information Systems believes that you deserve the best in customer service and we want you to expect it! We promise to:

Provide prompt and courteous service and support for Wake Forest-issued hardware and software

All new students must complete the Technology@WFU program prior to the start of classes. This will help familiarize you with computing at Wake Forest, covering topics ranging from using the campus network to using personal technology on campus. It will also introduce you to Sakai, the course management system. You are strongly encouraged to complete the program before July 1st in order to facilitate registering for classes.

You will need the following in order to complete the Technology@WFU program:

Your Wake Forest University user name and password

A current version of Internet Explorer (Windows) or Firefox (Windows or Mac)

A computer with a high-speed Internet connection (such as DSL or cable modem service) and speakers or headphones

An uninterrupted block of time (approximately 15-20 minutes, completion times will vary by individual)

As a Wake Forest student, many services, such as WFU Google Apps for Education, WebEx, Sakai, and WIN (Wake Forest Information Network) are accessed using your Wake Forest account. Some of these resources host information such as grades and other information that you will want to keep private.

These tools empower you to collaborate across the university setting and beyond.

WFU Google Apps for Education offers a fully integrated suite of services including email, calendaring, documents, storage services and more. Once you log in at google.wfu.edu, all of WFU Google Apps will be at your fingertips.

WebEx provides a full suite of collaborative web-based conferencing tools and a secure communications channel for video, file transfer, chat, and voice conferencing. To access your WebEx services, go to webex.wfu.edu and click on ‘My WebEx’. As a Wake Forest student you may invite others beyond Wake Forest to collaborate with you in WebEx “meetings” and more.

- Responsible Use of Technology

Along with access to vast technology resources comes responsibility for the appropriate use of these resources. Acceptable use is governed by Wake Forest policies and local, state and federal laws. Violations of these policies include plagiarism, sending harassing email messages, forging or misrepresenting your identity, sharing your computing login ID or password, and downloading or exchanging copyrighted materials. Violations can result in serious penalties ranging from Honor Code charges and suspension of campus computing services to imprisonment and fines. Please take the time to become familiar with these policies and the responsible use of Wake Forest technology resources.